Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, in her 2022 Budget Address, promised “responsive and responsible government,” that the city would be a good steward of its resources and pursue fiscal responsibility.
Are these statements true?
During Franklin’s past term the budget deficit grew to $18 million dollars. Over $2 million dollars of that deficit, was due to subsidies paid to keep Forest Park pool operational.
In 2020 Forest Park pool was closed because of covid. Here is the statement currently being posted on the city’s website in 2022.
Forest Park pool is the only pool in the area that has not reopened its doors during the pandemic. Is this the statement of a “responsive and responsible government”. No, It is a lie.
Why is Forest Park pool closed today? The real reason the pool is closed today is because of the budget deficit. This “responsive and responsible government” managed the pool so poorly over its many years it continues to be closed to save money. Sadly it was so poorly managed it may never open its doors again. This was a government willing to write check after check year after year to keep the pool operational. As long as there was no deficit concern the mayor didn’t care how the pool was operated or the money was spent. Was this a city “pursuing cost and operational efficiencies”?
Who has been held responsible for these high subsidies and mismanagement of the pool? Mayor Cassie Franklin? The City Council? Lori Cummings at the parks department? Absolutely not. So no, this government is not a responsible government, is not a good steward of our city resources, and did not pursue cost and operational efficiencies.
Steven M. Lay
Everett
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